We've told you several times about our favorite pasta template with meat and greens. It's so easy to stir in some arugula or spinach and watch it wilt and soften from the heat of the pasta.

Well, last night we cooked a chicken chowder that we've made dozens of times. It doesn't call for greens, but we had some spinach, so we stirred it in at the end. It made the soup so, so much better—brighter and healthier.

Get some more tips, below...

With pasta, it's important to use a delicate green that cooks quickly, like spinach, arugula, or escarole. With hot, boiling soup, you can use something heartier. Kale, mustard greens, even collards would work.

Use a mixture! Throw in leftovers. Greens add color and texture and go with pretty much anything—vegetable soups, bean soups, Asian soups with tofu... They'll cook best in a soup that's broth-based rather than puréed or stew-ish.